Take a guided tour around the real Downton Abbey

Highclere Castle dominates its Hampshire grounds as imperiously as its incarnation as Downton Abbey rules the Sunday night TV schedule. The Victorian country house is one of the stars of the award-winning costume drama penned by Julian Fellowes, which has millions tuning in to watch the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants endure the hardships of the First World War.

The programme, now in its second series, is filmed at Highclere, which has been the family seat of the Carnavon family for over three centuries. Lady Carnarvon gives The Telegraph an exclusive guided tour of the country house that is familiar to millions.

Find out how the family use the rooms featured in the drama, the rare antiques that furnish them and what the film crew have and broken along the way.

Highclere is hosting a Heroes at Highclere event to raise money for various services charities on October 16.